Clark 3, Worcester State 2
Worcester, MA ---Sophomore Mel Melkonian (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) recorded two goals and an assist to help lead Clark University over Worcester State University in non conference women's field hockey action this evening at Coughlin Field. The contest was the season opener for both squads.
Melkonian gave the Cougars the 2-0 lead midway through the opening period as she scored twice less than eight minutes apart. At 15:08, she scored her 20th career marker on a breakaway and then the second tally came on a penalty stroke 23:10 into the game.
After the end of the first stanza both teams were even in shots (5-5) while Worcester State held a 3-1 lead in corners.
The Lancers best chance to score came towards the end of the half as the offense rattled off three consecutive shots, but Clark keeper Kate McGrath (Wilmington, MA) rejected them all. After a corner, junior Molly Cotter (N. Easton, MA) had a good look at the Cougar cage, but the attempt was knocked away by freshman Talia Fish (Philadelphia, PA) for her first career defensive save.
Three minutes into the second frame, Worcester State took advantage of a loose ball that got behind Clarks defense. Third-year Sarah Cozzens (Lancaster, MA) started off the bid with a shot before it was rejected by McGrath. The deflection went to classmate Samantha Janda (Sterling, MA) who had a good look, but her effort was sent out of the cage by junior Rebecca Hertz (Rockville, MD) right back to Janda who put the ball into the net to slice into the lead and make the score 2-1.
But Clark's defense would then hold the Lancers inside their own zone for the next 10 minutes of play before they would take gain the upper hand and score a key insurance goal on a breakaway. Melkonian would break free as she dished an open look to sophomore Madeleine Lutts (Salem, MA) at 48:10 for the 3-1 edge.
Worcester State though would not give up without a fight as they got within a goal five minutes later on an unassisted tally by Cotter as she scooped up a deflected save by the keeper.
The Lancers would do everything they could to get back into the game, but their two penalty corners and two shot attempts were defended well by the Cougar back line.
McGrath would end the contest with 10 stops while sophomore keeper Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) notched four saves for WSU. Sophomore Torey Kuchachik (Ashland, MA) also added a defensive save for Worcester State midway through the second period.
The Lancers ended the game with a 15-12 edge in shots (10-7 in second half) and a 5-3 lead in corners.
Worcester State heads to the Dot Zenatay Invitational hosted by Springfield College this weekend. WSU takes on the hosting Pride at 11 AM on Saturday and then they will play the winner or loser of the Southern Maine-Brockport State contest on Sunday at 11 AM or 1 PM on Sunday. Clark entertains New England College in their home opener on Saturday at 1 PM.